I’ve been using Quark Inc.’s QuarkXPress for as long as I have been using a Macintosh and have suffered through the many growing pains we have seen this program go through since its 1987 introduction.

Many of you probably remember QuarkXPress 3.3, a version that seemed destined never to be replaced by an upgrade. Eventually version 4 appeared, then 5 and 6, and we are now being introduced to version 7. In addition to new creative features, each new edition of QuarkXPress altered the rules for using color management in our workflow.

The simplest QuarkXPress app to use was 3.x; simple because color management in that version simply didn’t work. The solution was to turn off color management, remove the appropriate extension and XTension, and do all of our color work inside of a program such as Adobe Photoshop.  Forced to do any color management tasks from within Quark itself required the use of Compass ProXT (sold by Praxisoft www.praxisoft.com), a wonderfully powerful XTension that allowed complete control of all color conversions for both raster and vector graphics, including simulations for remote proofing.

QuarkXPress 4 introduced us to the QuarkCMS, an XTension that controlled all of the color handling tasks within Quark. However, the app didn’t allow users to select rendering intents, and often resulted in output differences if you used embedded profiles instead of assigned profiles. That, along with other assorted idiosyncrasies, forced the continued use of Compass ProXT. Quark 5 fixed a number of annoying problems but still did not allow us to color manage EPS and grayscale images.

Still has quirks

QuarkXpress 6.5, introduced in 2004, is still not without its quirks. For example, it only recognizes embedded ICC profiles in TIFF files. QuarkXPress can do a fair job of turning out a soft proof and is capable of generating a remote proof with a few caveats.

Here’s how to properly configure the color management settings in Quark: selecting the Preferences panel from the QuarkCMS options menu, there is a small checkbox, which will turn off all things color management within QuarkXPress. This could be the safest option for people who know nothing about color management or for those who simply perform color management tasks in other programs. If you select this option, do not expect accurate soft or hard proofs. The upside is that anything placed in Quark, for the most part, stays that way. In the Destination Profiles section you can select your normal output profiles, but you will also need to select your calibrated monitor ICC profile. This differs from Adobe programs, which find this profile automatically.

The Default Source Profiles section allows you to select separate ICC profiles for vector and raster images in RGB, CMYK, and Hexachrome color spaces. Equally important, it allows you to select separate rendering intents for each of these settings. Check boxes are also available to allow or prevent QuarkXPress from converting from RBG to RGB or from CMYK to CMYK. In a way, this allows you to micromanage the Color Management Active option. Keep in mind, that if you do not allow QuarkXPress to perform RGB to RGB conversions, QuarkXPress cannot accurately display images on your monitor.

Nice, not accurate

Lastly, you can select how images will appear on your monitor screen to generate a soft proof. Select Off and don’t trust your monitor. Selecting Monitor Color Space means converting everything to your display profile, which will at least make images look nice on your monitor - not accurate, but nice.

The last two options allow QuarkXPress to simulate either your composite output, (inkjet, laser, etc.) or your separation or final output. Figure 1 illustrates the options you now have when placing images into picture boxes within QuarkXPress. QuarkXPress will show you if it finds an embedded profile,  (although it doesn’t tell you what that profile is) or if it will be using the default profile. You can also select the exact profile you want from the pull-down menu.

Fig. 1: QuarkXPress now allows you to accept, assign,
or override any ICC Profile setting in individual images.
 

When you print out of QuarkXPress, you can select the Profiles option if you have Color Management activated (see Figure 2). On this panel you can select a profile for your composite or separation printer, depending upon which printer you are actually printing to. You can also select both Profiles and check the Composite Simulates Separation option to generate a remote proof showing on your desktop printer how the image will look on your final printed output.



Figure 2: QuarkXPress’ print options allow you to generate a proof that simulates your final output.
 

QuarkXPress has continually improved the color management features within this ubiquitous program. With QuarkXPress 7, released last month, we can only hope the Denver-based firm continues to strengthen these features and improve their accuracy.

John Nate is a senior color specialist for Chromaticity Inc., an integrator of color technologies for the newspaper and other industries. He can be reached at 616.361.7773, or via e-mail at jnate@chromaticity.com.